Starting block



Aug; 18, 1959 D. J. HONDORP 2,900,187

STARTING BLOCK Filed Feb. 14, 1957 INVENTOR. DONA L D J. HONDOPF UnitedStates Patent STARTING BLOCK Donald J. Hondorp, Grand Rapids, Mich.Application February 14, 1957, Serial No. 640,151

4 Claims. (Cl. 272-59) This invention relates to a starting block devicesuch as those used by contestants in a foot race on a track. Suchstarting devices afford good footing to the racer when he is set at thestarting line.

Various types of starting devices or so-called starting blocks have beendeveloped for this purpose. These previous blocks, although quitesuitable for the purpose, have not been completely satisfactory. One ofthe primarydifiiculties is the adjustment of the block on the bar.

One of the objects of this invention is to construct a starting blockthat can be easily set in any desired position.

A further object of this invention is to provide a starting block thatis simple in construction and of a relatively few parts.

Another object of this invention is to provide a starting block having'anovel guide track means for guiding the blocks when adjusted so as tosimplify and facilitate easier adjustment.

Other objects of my invention will become obvious upon reading thefollowing specification in conjunction with the appended drawingwherein:

Fig. l discloses an oblique, side elevational view of the startingblock.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of this starting block.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, cross sectional, front elevational view of theconnection between one of the blocks and the support bar.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of the bottom of one of the connectionsbetween the block and the support bar.

Briefly, this invention relates to a starting block for contestants in afoot race. The combination generally comprises a rectangular bar havingan inverted U-shaped cross section formed by a web and depending sideflanges. The web has two elongated slots running lengthwise thereof andparallel to the side flanges. A pair of blocks, one located on each ofthe side flanges, is provided with the sides of the blocks abutting thesides of the flanges. The block has a horizontal flange extending overthe bar. This horizontal flange has a hole aligned with the slots forreceiving a bolt to releasably lock the block on the bar.

In the preferred form of this invention, I provide two guide stopsprotruding downwardly from the horizontal flange and located on oppositesides of the opening. These stops protrude into the slots and thus guidethe block on the bar. To provide even a better guiding means, I haveprovided a vertical flange extending downwardly from the end of thehorizontal flange and protruding into a groove located between the twoslots. Thus, the guide stops and the vertical flange provide anextremely stable sliding operation of the blocks.

Referring to the drawings, reference numeral 1 generally designates thestarting block assembly which includes the bar and the blocks 20 on eachside.

The bar 10 has a generally U-shaped cross section with solid endstapered downwardly to provide an attachment through which the pins 30extend for securing the 2,900,187 Patented Aug. 18, 1959 ice to bar 10corresponds in contour to the contour of the,

side of the bar. The blocks have an integral horizontal flange 21extending over the bar. A vertical flange portion 22 extends downwardlyfrom the end of flange 21. The horizontal flange 21 also has the guidestops 23 (Fig. 4) extending downwardly into the slot 11. These two guidestops are located on opposite sides of the opening or hole 24 which alsois aligned with the slot 11.

Assembly The parts are easily assembled. The flange 21 of the block 20is of the proper size to fit over the bar with the vertical flangeportion 22 extending downwardly into the groove 12. In this position,the opening 24 is aligned with the slots 11 and the guide stops 23protrude into the slots 11. The bolt 50 extends through the opening 24and the slot 11 and then secured in place by the wing nut 51.

When the block is to be utilized it is placed on the track immediatelybehind the starting line. The pins or nails 30 are pushed into theground thus firmly anchoring the bars to the ground. Then the runneradjusts the block depending upon the particular spacing and locationdesired for his feet. Every runner, having once used this startingblock, establishes the exact positions of the blocks by means of theindicia 13 located in the groove 12. For example, one runner, as shown,would set one block at 7 /2 and the other block at 16 /2. Once heestablishes the desired setting, he makes the same setting each time heuses the block.

The blocks are easily adjusted by loosening the wing nut 51 and slidingthe blocks to the proper indexed number. Then the wings are tightenedlocking the block on the bar 10. The structure of this invention makesthe blocks easily adjustable. The horizontal flanges 21 do not overlapand therefore, either of the blocks can be moved in either direction theentire length of the bar. The vertical flange portion 22 and the guidestops 23 help to maintain the straight line movement of the block on thebar as it is being adjusted. The guide stops 23 also prevent the blocksfrom turning when the runner exerts a force on them. Therefore, theoperation is very easy and the proper setting can be made in arelatively short time. The setting is facilitated by the handle 25 onthe block which also provides one means for carrying the block from oneplace to the other. These handles facilitate pulling the unit from thetrack. This makes possible the welding of the nails to the unit andstill provides easy removal of the unit from the track.

Having described my invention, it should become obvious that variousalterations and modifications are possible in the broadest aspect inthis invention. Therefore, such alterations and modifications areconsidered to be covered by this invention unless the appended claims bytheir language expressly state otherwise.

I claim:

1. In a starting block for contestants in a foot race, the combinationcomprising: a generally rectangular bar having an inverted U-shapedcross-section formed by a web and depending side flanges; said webhaving elongated slots extending lengthwise thereof and parallel to saidside flanges; a pair of blocks one located on each of said side flanges;each of said blocks having a side abutting one of said side flanges andcorresponding in shape thereto; a substantially horizontal flangeextending from said side of said block above said web; said horizontalflange having an opening aligned with one of said slots; and releasablelocking means extending through said aligned slot and opening.

2. In a starting block for contestants in a foot race, the combinationcomprising: a generally rectangular bar having an inverted U-shapedcross-section formed by a web and depending side flanges; said webhaving elongated slots extending lengthwise thereof and parallel to saidside flanges; a pair of blocks one located on each of said side flanges;each of said blocks having a side abutting one of said side flanges andcorresponding in shape thereto; a substantially horizontal flangeextending from said side of said block above said web; said horizontalflange having an opening aligned with one of said slots; guide stopsprotruding from said horizontal flange into said slot, said stops beinglocated on opposite sides or said opening; and releasable locking meansextending through said aligned slot and said opening.

3. In a starting block for contestants in a foot race, the combinationcomprising: a generally rectangular bar having an inverted U-shapedcross-section formed by a web and depending side flanges; said webhaving elongated slots extending lengthwise thereof and parallel to saidside flanges; said web having a groove between said slots; a pair ofblocks one located on each of said side flanges; each of said blockshaving a side abutting one of said side flanges and corresponding inshape thereto; a substantially horizontal flange extending from saidside of said block above said web; said horizontal flange having anopening aligned with one of said slots; a vertical flange portionextending downwardly from said horizontal flange into said groove; andreleasable locking means extending through said aligned slot and saidopening.

4. In a starting block for contestants in a foot race, the combinationcomprising: a generally rectangular bar having an inverted U-shapedcrosssection formed by a web and depending side flanges; said Web havingelongated slots extending lengthwise thereof and parallel to said sideflanges; said web having a groove between said slots; a pair of blocks,one located on each of said side flanges, each of said blocks having aside abutting one of said side flanges and corresponding in shapethereto; a substantially horizontal flange extending from said side ofsaid block above said web; a vertical flange portion extendingdownwardly from saidhorizontal flange into said groove; and releasablelocking means extending through said aligned slot and said opening.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS457,077 Dahl Aug. 4, 1891 1,785,968 Nicholson et al. Dec. 23, 19302,323,510 Arnett July 6, 1943 2,534,159 Brouwer et al. Dec. 12, 1 950FOREIGN PATENTS 94,902 Sweden 1939 125,753 Australia 1947 959,628 France1949

